Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, alongside his Enugu state counterpart, Peter Mba, have officially commissioned a 12.5km Challenge- Odo Ona-Elewe-Elebu-Apata dualized road project under Ido Local Government, Ibadan, the state capital.
The road project which initially started under former governor, Late Adebayo Alao Akala in 2008, was subsequently abandoned by successive government until Governor Seyi Makinde reawarded it to KOPEK Construction Ltd.
The commissioning held on Friday February 16 at Owode Housing Estate Junction along Ibadan-Abeokuta Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde equally renamed the road Theophilus Akinyele Way.
Delivering his address, Governor Makinde reiterated the commitment of his administration towards improving the well-being of the people of Oyo regardless of the multifaceted challenges occasioned by the current state of the nation’s economy.
He acknowledged the economic challenges people are currently faced with and assured that his government would continue to strive to do more to make life more meaningful for the people.
While reacting to the report of PDP Governors owing workers in their states, Makinde, who highlighted the commitment of his administration to workers and pensioners welfare, stated that civil servants have continued to collect their salary on or before 25 of every month till date since 2019.
He equally declared that the ongoing wage award being received by workers in the state will be extended by another six months in order to help them navigate through the current economics challenges.
In his brief remarks, The Governor of Enugu state, Peter Mba lauded Makinde for his brand of decisiveness and progressive mindedness which is essentially about the collective interest of the people.
“We can only expand our economy through critical infrastructure like this one done by my brother, Engr. Seyi Makinde.” The Governor said.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Works, Professor Daud Sangodoyin said that the 12.5km road project started in 2008 under former governor, late Alao Akala and was consequently neglected by the late Abiola Ajimobi led government before Governor Seyi Makinde rearwarded it to KOPEK Construction Limited.
“The successful completion of this road has enhanced seamless vehicular movement of people and goods along this axis along other adjoining roads.” Sangodoyin said.
Also, the federal Controller of Works, Oyo state, Mrs. O. M. Olarerin commended Governor Makinde for his aggressive infrastructural development particularly road construction across the state regardless if they were state or federal road.
The event was witnessed by leaders and top government functionaries across various arms of government in the state including the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, Speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly, Honorable Adebo Ogundoyin, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iyabo Yerima, state executive council members, and members of state and federal legislature.
Others are traditional rulers and religious leaders, leaders of the organized Labor unions, chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), foremost lawyer, Barrister Niyi Akintola SAN, leaders of Oyo Market Associations, and others.